Irish journalists ‘at risk from organised criminals’

A number of Irish journalists have been "formally notified" by police in the Republic of Ireland that their safety is at risk from organised criminals, according to international reports.

In a statement, Independent News Media, which owns the Irish Independent newspaper, said it was working with police to increase security around its reporters, the BBC reports.

"This is an outrageous threat to the freedom of the press in Ireland and we are taking the threats with the utmost seriousness.

"Our media group will not be deterred from serving the public interest and highlighting the threat to society at large posed by such criminals," editor-in-chief Stephen Rae said.

Meanwhile, the national union of journalists (NUJ) Irish secretary, Seamus Dooley, said he was "gravely concerned at the development".

"Journalists and media organisations will not be intimidated by such threats, which have no place in a democratic society," he said.

On Tuesday, Irish police said they were working to set up a permanent armed support unit for Dublin in the wake of the gangland-style shootings, after two people were killed in one such shooting last week.